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What comes next for Fabio Wardley and Jai Opetaia after a weekend of incredible stoppages?
Another big fight period has concluded and plans for the winners and losers will already be getting discussed.
Justis Huni performed admirably despite being the weekend's biggest loser as one brief moment of weakness was exposed brutally by Fabio Wardley as his profile soared on Saturday night.
Here, DAZN News reflects on the schedule from this past weekend and looks at what should be next for some of the best names involved.
Fabio Wardley
This next piece of matchmaking for Wardley is going to be crucial.
Once the wild celebrations in Ipswich, hugely justified, had calmed down, the focus for what will be next for the local favourite will have been explored with precise detail.
Justis Huni proved that Wardley can easily be outboxed, and a more experienced operator would have raced to the finish line without being caught.
Wardley is eager for a world title crack, but that looks to be still some way off going on Saturday’s showing.
Assessing the performance, correcting the wrongs, and then returning in the winter should be the best cause of action for Wardley with Derek Chisora or Filip Hrgovic in the opposite corner.
Jai Opetaia
The Argentinian may have earned his shot against Opetaia, but he had no business being in the ring with him in what was essentially an ugly mismatch.
Opetaia’s focus will now turn to June 28 when Gilberto Ramirez battles Yuniel Dorticos for two world belts. The victor in this one must be next for Opetaia.
Junto Nakatani
Nakatani is slowly becoming one of the sport’s best fighters and he enhanced that claim this past weekend with a sixth-round stoppage Ryosuke Nishida, but is a move to super-bantamweight next?
If so, then Japan could be about to stage the biggest ever fight if Nakatani pursues a showdown with Naoya Inoue.
The Monster has to get past MJ Akhmadaliev in September, and if he passes that test then Inoue vs Nakatani could be one of the standout fights of 2026.
Pierce O’Leary
The Irish fighter moved to 17-0 on Saturday as he was too good for Liam Dillon in Ipswich.
O’Leary is still only 25 so there is plenty of time to maneuver him into title contention, but could defeating a former world champion, and big name, speed up the process?
Regis Prograis has endured a tough spell recently following losses to Devin Haney and Jack Catterall, but could O’Leary add to that? It may be a step too far at this stage so maybe a fight with Jack Rafferty with an eliminator status attached could be the right move.
Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will be streamed exclusively on DAZN PPV, Saturday, June 28. Buy the PPV now here .
